The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
